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By Bever M. B., Floe Carl F., Hung Liang

Data on the solubility of hydrogen in iron-silicon alloys are of practical interest, as hydrogen causes gas unsoundness and embrittlement in iron and steel and is also a factor in the metallurgy of cast iron. Zapffe and Simsl have recently demonstrated that in deoxidized iron and steel castings gassiness and bleeding are primarily functions of the hydrogen content of the liquid metal. These authors also suggested convincingly that ordinary melting and casting practice provides several sources of hydrogen for absorption by the metal. Norbury and Morgan2 and Boyles3 have shown that dissolved hydrogen affects the graphitization of cast iron. Schneble and Chipman4 included in a study of the effects of superheating on the properties of cast iron an investigation of the part played by hydrogen. Schwartz, Guiler and Barnett5 investigated the significance of hydrogen in the metallurgy of malleable cast iron. A complete interpretation of investigations of this kind calls for equilibrium values of the solubility of hydrogen in the liquid and solid phases. From the theoretical standpoint, the solubility of gases, especially hydrogen, may reveal some aspects of the nature of liquid metallic solutions. This was implied in the early work of Sieverts6 on the effect of alloying additions on the solubility of hydrogen in copper. Recent work by Bever and Floe7 has shown that in liquid copper-tin alloys the solubility of hydrogen changes abruptly at the composition of the intermetallic compound Cu3Sn. It is of considerable interest to determine whether liquid alloys of iron also have compositions at which the solubility of hydrogen exhibits a discontinuous or otherwise unique behavior. Among the various alloys of iron the iron-silicon system is important because of the presence of silicon in various structural alloy steels, transformer sheets, cast irons and special acid-resisting castings. The various grades of ferrosilicon, finally, cover almost the entire remainder of the composition range. Published information on the solubility of hydrogen in iron-silicon alloys is meager. The first values for pure liquid iron were reported in 1910-191 1 sieverts and Krumbhaar8 and by sieverts.9 They found that 100 grams of iron absorbs 28 c.c. of hydrogen at 1550°C and One atmosphere pressure, and 31 C.C. at 1650°C. In 1938 Sieverts, Zapf and Moritz10 published a value of 26.3 C.C. at 1550°C. Data on the solubility of hydrogen in liquid iron-silicon alloys and in liquid silicon are not available. Martin1' investigated

Jan 1, 1947

By J. Rogers, K. L. Sutherland

THE relationships between collector and mineral, activator and mineral, and activator, collector and mineral will be considered herein. We propose to criticize current theories of flotation but we will not repeat the many pertinent arguments presented by Wark and Cox28 in 1937 in which the "chemical" or more strictly the "solubility" theory proposed by Taggart and co-workers22 is shown to be untenable. Recently Taggart, Arbiter and Kellogg24 have studied the long-chain aliphatic amines as collectors and have attempted to resuscitate the solubility theory for these particular collectors. Dean and Ambrose3 have felt that "we stumble over words" when we distinguish different mechanisms of adsorption. Our view is that nothing is more stultifying to the development of a science than attempts to force widely different phenomena into one classification. This oversimplification leads immediately to difficulties in the interpretation of results. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The response of minerals to activator and collector was determined by "captive-bubble" tests. The methods of preparation of specimens26 and of testing18 have been previously described. Results from captive-bubble tests were confirmed by flotation tests in glass-stoppered cylinders.25 The full lines shown in the figures relating solution composition to contact (flotation) distinguish solutions in which contact (flotation) is possible from those in which it is not. The curve is derived by successive approximation and the accuracy is ±0.2 pH units and ± 5 mg. per liter of collector or depressant. Solution compositions for which it was shown experimentally that contact or flotation is possible are marked by a circle, those for which it is not possible by a cross and those for which it is doubtful by a cross within a circle. It is assumed that at all other solution compositions within (without) the curve, contact or flotation is possible (not possible). After testing in the collector solution, the mineral was removed, washed, and tested by the captive-bubble method in water, or floated in a cylinder with frother only. In this way the composition of solutions in which a mineral was conditioned but in which properties of the collector solution prevented contact or flotation can be defined. The composition of solutions in which conditioning was possible lie between the full and broken curve, the experimental results being indicated on the figures by a square. The curves show the limits of composition of solution in which flotation in a cell would be possible. Many factors other than those considered in these tests determine recovery or grade of a given mineral in practice.

Jan 1, 1947

By Harold Margolin, W. R. Hibbard, R. W. Fenn, H. P. Moore

Deformation lines, also called etch markings or strain markings, are non-effaceable lines developed in individual grains by etching a metal specimen which has been cold worked sufficiently to cause atomic non-conformity or slight orientation differences within the grains. Etching occurs more rapidly at these lines of high chemical reactivity to produce a result similar to that revealing grain boundaries. Wider etching effects forming bands have been found. They are believed to be bands of deformation lines which form areas of measurably different orientation from the crystal matrix. The crystallite rotations causing these bands have been shown by Barrett2 to contribute to deformation textures. Although deformation lines have been observed in many metals, the amount of deformation requireti for their appearance has been established only in general terms. Mathewson and Phillips3 observed the first appearance of deformation lines in cold-rolled alpha brass at about 20 pct reduction in thickness using the standard ammonium hydroxide hydrogen peroxide etchant. Price and Davidson4 noted defor- mation lines in common high brass after 26.5 pct reduction by cold rolling using the same etchant. Johnson6 observed dark thick forklike lines in 99.99 pct pure copper reduced 31.8 pct. Adcock6 observed deformation lines in 80-20 copper-nickel alloy rolled 50 pct. Samans7 found no deformation lines in alpha brass single crystals cold rolled 9.5 pct but they did appear after 25 pct reduction using ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide etchant. Barrett and Levenson8 observed deformation bands in drawn polycrystalline iron at very small reductions in area and noted that their initial appearance perhaps depends on grain size and other conditions. They reported deformation bands in a single crystal of iron reduced 6 pct by drawing. Brickg noted that deformation lines in 70-30 brass apparently associated with I I I I ) planes appeared after reductions of from 20-50 pct by cold rolling. Brick and Williamson10 noted that in single crystals of 70-30 alpha brass "as in polycrystalline brass, no deformation markings appeared until reductions exceeded 20 pct." Cook and Richards" reported that in Copper cold rolled less than about 50 Pet few strain markings were apparent but for higher reductions many strain markings appeared transverse to the rolled direction. In a review article Brick and Phillips12 noted that previous studies had not shown deformation lines in cold rolled alpha brass below 20 pet reduction and added that 4

Jan 1, 1949

By H. P. Moore, R. W. Fenn, Harold Margolin, W. R. Hibbard

Deformation lines, also called etch markings or strain markings, are non-effaceable lines developed in individual grains by etching a metal specimen which has been cold worked sufficiently to cause atomic non-conformity or slight orientation differences within the grains. Etching occurs more rapidly at these lines of high chemical reactivity to produce a result similar to that revealing grain boundaries. Wider etching effects forming bands have been found. They are believed to be bands of deformation lines which form areas of measurably different orientation from the crystal matrix. The crystallite rotations causing these bands have been shown by Barrett2 to contribute to deformation textures. Although deformation lines have been observed in many metals, the amount of deformation requireti for their appearance has been established only in general terms. Mathewson and Phillips3 observed the first appearance of deformation lines in cold-rolled alpha brass at about 20 pct reduction in thickness using the standard ammonium hydroxide hydrogen peroxide etchant. Price and Davidson4 noted defor- mation lines in common high brass after 26.5 pct reduction by cold rolling using the same etchant. Johnson6 observed dark thick forklike lines in 99.99 pct pure copper reduced 31.8 pct. Adcock6 observed deformation lines in 80-20 copper-nickel alloy rolled 50 pct. Samans7 found no deformation lines in alpha brass single crystals cold rolled 9.5 pct but they did appear after 25 pct reduction using ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide etchant. Barrett and Levenson8 observed deformation bands in drawn polycrystalline iron at very small reductions in area and noted that their initial appearance perhaps depends on grain size and other conditions. They reported deformation bands in a single crystal of iron reduced 6 pct by drawing. Brickg noted that deformation lines in 70-30 brass apparently associated with I I I I ) planes appeared after reductions of from 20-50 pct by cold rolling. Brick and Williamson10 noted that in single crystals of 70-30 alpha brass "as in polycrystalline brass, no deformation markings appeared until reductions exceeded 20 pct." Cook and Richards" reported that in Copper cold rolled less than about 50 Pet few strain markings were apparent but for higher reductions many strain markings appeared transverse to the rolled direction. In a review article Brick and Phillips12 noted that previous studies had not shown deformation lines in cold rolled alpha brass below 20 pet reduction and added that 4

Jan 1, 1949

By Arthur T. Allen

THE Kingsport formation, a part of the Knox dolomite of Ordovician age, is composed of 538 ft of dolomitc and limestone. Numerous bands, layers and nodules of chert, arenaceous and shale zones are present. The characteristics displayed by these features have been useful in mapping, prospecting and mining. Perhaps a better understanding of the origin of these zones will increase their usefulness. Introduction The presence of numerous bands, nodules, and irregular bodies of chert within the Kingsport formation in the Mascot locality has long been recognized. Oder and Miller1 mention the general characteristics, but do not deal with the chert occurrences in detail. When the occurrence of chert is studied in fresh exposures underground, a variety of characteristics is noted which has been useful in correlation and in detailing the sub-surface stratigraphy. Although the writer has no desire to enter into a controversy over the origin of chert, many observations have been made of its local characterigtics. A detailed stratigraphic section is included which shows the position of the individual horizons discussed in the following paragraphs. The term "chertification" has been adopted from Fowler and Lyden2 for use here. It refers to the replacement of lime- stone by introduced silicic acid. The writer uses it to refer to the occurrencc of introduced or original chert in limestone and dolomite. In this writing "syngenetic chert" refers to chert which has been deposited contemporaneously with the enclosing limestone or dolomite. Also, it is considered to include interstitial silica shown by chemical analysis and insoluble residues. The term "epigenetic" is applied to all chert which has been introduced after consolidation of the rocks in which it occurs, regardless of the nature of the depositing solutions. Syngenetic Chert It is the belief of the author that a large percentage of the chert found in the Kingsport formation is syngenetic. The widespread occurrence of similar nodules and bands of chert in the same horizon far from one another and far from areas of deformation or alteration of the enclosing rocks is difficult to explain by infiltration of the silica after compaction of the enclosing rocks. When chert of this type does occur near zones of movement it is likely to be involved in faulting and brecciation which indicates that it was deposited prior to deformation. Older Epigenetic Chert There are several occurrences of nodules in the Kingsport which seem to be epigenetic as pointed out in the following examples: A cherty zone occurs 26 ft above the o bed (Fig =). This is not always present but is found in the greater part of mine work-

Jan 1, 1949

By Arthur T. Allen

THE Kingsport formation, a part of the Knox dolomite of Ordovician age, is composed of 538 ft of dolomitc and limestone. Numerous bands, layers and nodules of chert, arenaceous and shale zones are present. The characteristics displayed by these features have been useful in mapping, prospecting and mining. Perhaps a better understanding of the origin of these zones will increase their usefulness. Introduction The presence of numerous bands, nodules, and irregular bodies of chert within the Kingsport formation in the Mascot locality has long been recognized. Oder and Miller1 mention the general characteristics, but do not deal with the chert occurrences in detail. When the occurrence of chert is studied in fresh exposures underground, a variety of characteristics is noted which has been useful in correlation and in detailing the sub-surface stratigraphy. Although the writer has no desire to enter into a controversy over the origin of chert, many observations have been made of its local characterigtics. A detailed stratigraphic section is included which shows the position of the individual horizons discussed in the following paragraphs. The term "chertification" has been adopted from Fowler and Lyden2 for use here. It refers to the replacement of lime- stone by introduced silicic acid. The writer uses it to refer to the occurrencc of introduced or original chert in limestone and dolomite. In this writing "syngenetic chert" refers to chert which has been deposited contemporaneously with the enclosing limestone or dolomite. Also, it is considered to include interstitial silica shown by chemical analysis and insoluble residues. The term "epigenetic" is applied to all chert which has been introduced after consolidation of the rocks in which it occurs, regardless of the nature of the depositing solutions. Syngenetic Chert It is the belief of the author that a large percentage of the chert found in the Kingsport formation is syngenetic. The widespread occurrence of similar nodules and bands of chert in the same horizon far from one another and far from areas of deformation or alteration of the enclosing rocks is difficult to explain by infiltration of the silica after compaction of the enclosing rocks. When chert of this type does occur near zones of movement it is likely to be involved in faulting and brecciation which indicates that it was deposited prior to deformation. Older Epigenetic Chert There are several occurrences of nodules in the Kingsport which seem to be epigenetic as pointed out in the following examples: A cherty zone occurs 26 ft above the o bed (Fig =). This is not always present but is found in the greater part of mine work-

Jan 1, 1949

By Earl E. Hunner

At the end of the year 1914, the main North Star incline shaft had reached the 6300-ft. level, and encountered a vein dipping southwest, or exactly opposite to the North Star. Subsequent development failed to find the North Star vein continuing beyond this intersection, so the 6300-ft. level proved to be the bottom level of the North Star vein, and very little ore was found below the 5300-ft. level. The new vein was called No. 1 vein. Development work carried on for the next 10 years discovered a third vein, called No. 2, branching off about 1200-ft. to the east, with a north-south strike and a west dip. No. 1 vein had about 900 ft. of backs above the 6300-ft. level before reaching the boundary line of the property, and No. 2 vein died out about 800 ft. above. During these 10 years, the money spent on development was increased from $54,000 in 1914 to $184,000 in 1924; the ore reserves steadily diminished until it was evident that the mine must close down unless by some means a large tonnage of ore could be developed quickly. Problems and Plans In order to understand what follows, the general layout and equipment of the mine as it was at this time must be briefly described. Fig. 6 indicates the relative positions of the shafts. The North Star (incline) shaft extends from the surface to the 6300-ft. level following the vein, with an average pitch of 26", between limits of 11" to 38. There is at present no hoisting equipment in this shaft between the 2700 and 4000-ft. levels. The Central (vertical) shaft connects with the North Star shaft at the 4000-ft. level, at a vertical depth of 1600 ft. In two compartments of this shaft 4-ton skips made a vertical turn of 15 ft. radius at the 4000-ft. level and ran down the incline to the 6300-ft. level. A cage operated in the third compartment to the 4000-ft. level. Men and supplies were transferred to a truck running on a third track down the incline shaft to the 6300, operated by an electric hoist on the 4000-ft. station. When the shifts changed double-deck cages were substituted for the skips in the vertical shaft, but they stopped at the 4000-ft. station. The truck to 6300 carried 22 men, and it required 8 min. to make a trip down and back. This arrangement was satisfactory as long as a fairly large proportion of the work was

Jan 1, 1930

By J. T. Lapsley, I. I. Cornet, A. E. Flanigan, R. Hultgren, J. E. Dorn

With the greatly expanding use of magnesium during the war, it appeared necessary to the War Metallurgy Committee that procedures of heat treating common magnesium casting alloys be investigated systematically. Accordingly, the National Defense Research Committee of the Office of Scientific Research and Development placed a research contract with the University of California, supervised by the War Metallurgy Committee. Research on the solution heat treatment and aging of magnesium alloy AZg2, (formerly ASTM No. 17; also known as Dowmetal C or AM26o) which was done under "Restricted" Project NRC-2I, in 1942-1943, and reported in detail in a final report to the OSRD on September 3, 1943, is the basis of this paper, which has been released for publication by the OSRD. American experience with magnesium alloys prior to World War II was limited, although some of these alloys had been in commercial use since 1909. Requirements of the aircraft industry for light alloys made it imperative to understand and utilize the advantageous strength-weight properties of magnesium castings. Magnesium casting alloys are commonly solution heat- treated to increase their ultimate tensile strength and ductility; this treatment may be followed by an age hardening at elevated temperatures, which raises the tensile yield strength but diminishes the ductility. In the present investigation, AZp was studied to determine the effects on properties of various solution heat treatment and aging schedules. The principles of heat treatment of magnesium alloys are the same as for other non-ferrous alloys. The alloy studied, AZp, has a nominal composition of 9 pct aluminum, 2 pct zinc, and minor constituents. Fig I shows, by the projection of isothermal sections on the concentration plane, the solubility surface1 of the ternary magnesium-rich solid solutions as determined by X ray 'analysis. From this figure it may be seen that above approximately 375°C (707OF), AZp alloy is a single phase alloy at equilibrium; below this temperature the equilibrium condition is a two phase alloy. The beta constituent which precipitates from the solid solution exerts a hardening effect. Because the zinc concentration is only 2 pct, ancl because of its solubility relations, AZqz resembles a binary alloy of magnesium with aluminum. The solubility curve1 of Fig 2 shows how rapidly the solubility of the beta phase decreases with decreasing temperatures. Unlike many aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys do not age harden at room temperatures; precipitation hardening of AZ² alloy is performed at about 177°C (350°F). At this temperature about 3 pct aluminum

Jan 1, 1949

By Clyde E. Williams

THIS review of the progress made in iron and steel metallurgy during the past year is confined to developments in this country. It attempts to give examples to illustrate progress made rather than to appraise results. As a result of the gradually diminishing supply of rich iron ores and of predictions made as to the probable life of the iron-ore reserves of the Lake Superior District, attention of iron and steel executives was directed to the question of beneficiation of iron ores. Laboratory and plant-scale experimental work was conducted on the wash ores .of Minnesota and an investigation, was, begun on the Old Range low-grade ores.

Jan 1, 1931

By T. W. Beck

Roof bolter occupations in underground coal mines continue to experience overexposure to respirable dust. One potential source of dust in roof bolting operations is the exhaust from the roof bolter dust collection system. A wet exhaust conditioner (water box) has been developed to reduce dust emissions from the exhaust of the vacuum dust collection system on roof bolting machines. The exhaust conditioner consists of a muffler chamber and a water chamber with four internal partitions to direct airflow over the surface of the water. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducted a series of laboratory tests to assess the respirable dust capture ability of this device as compared to the standard exhaust muffler. To determine the dust collection efficiency, both devices were placed in the exhaust stream of a simulated roof bolter dust collection system. Gravimetric samplers were operated upstream and downstream of the exhaust conditioner and muffler to evaluate the ability to capture both respirable coal and limestone dust. Researchers observed a 41 % reduction in dust concentrations for the water exhaust conditioner in the laboratory configuration. Significant levels of dust deposition in the sampling chambers may have contributed to this effective capture rate.

Jan 1, 2012

By Fred D. Gustafson

With the postwar emergency for new housing and for new industrial buildings, much research has been done on lightweight aggregates for use in concrete and plaster. The trend toward lighter weight aggregates to relieve the dead load on the higher, steel frame- work buildings started toward the end of the last century. Progressively the requirements be- came more stringent, crushed bank slag, weighing 80 lb per cu ft as com- pared to 100 lb for crushed rock, was supplemented in some sections by foamed slags and expanded shales weighing from 40 to 60 lb per cu ft. In other sections cinders were used weighing from 40 to 50 lb, including sand. Sections favored with more recent vulcanism turned to pumice weighing from 30 to 60 lb, whereas other localities made use of diatomite, from 28 to 40 lb. Exfoliated vermiculite weighing from only 6 to 10 lb per cu ft came into use. As the search for lighter weights in aggregates continued so did the search for other desirable properties such as nailability, ease of cutting or channeling, and good insulation to both sound and heat. This search eventually led to a widespread interest in the expansion of perlite, or similar volcanic glasses, with the result that in 1946, the Office of the Housing Expediter' listed eleven firms reporting the operation of processing plants either on pilot or commercial scale producing aggregates weighing from 2 to 16 lb per cu ft.

Jan 1, 1949

By Benjamin C. Craft

A review of development in North Louisiana during 1936 centers around the Rodessa field, in Caddo Parish. Continued extension of the

Jan 1, 1937

By A. M. Beebee

IN the present century the coal and manufactured gas industries have been eclipsed in public interest by oil, natural gas, and hydro- electric energy, which have had the benefit of rapid development and novelty. I sometimes wish that our social- order were such that hydro power had been developed first, that the use of gas from coal had never been seriously considered, and that our domestic energy requirements were supplied by other fuels. Sup- pose the manufacture of gas from coal should then come on the scene at the present time with the current plight of the railroads, coal regions, and labor generally, presenting the fact that it could increase the amount of coal mined and shipped by the railroads by some 16,000,000 tons, and increase the coal used at existing u plants five times. Imagine the great public interest that would be manifested; it would supply the cooking and water-heating requirements of a community with a superior character of service at a cost to the customer approximately half that which had obtained previously. Would not such a situation be heralded as the salvation of our country and all help be given it?

Jan 1, 1940

By K. A. Pauly

(Wilkes-Barre Meeting, June, 1911.) COMPRESSED air has been and is still very extensively used in connection with mining-operations, but its application in the past has been almost entirely confined to supplying power to underground machinery. Its introduction was due to the difficulty of taking care of the steam which is exhausted underground, rather than to any advantage in efficiency to be gained by its use. The ease with which electric power may be carried to the remotest parts of the mine and the high efficiency of the electric motor have long been appreciated by mine-operators, and electric power is now extensively used underground in the more recent developments, while many of the compressed-air engines in the older workings are being rapidly replaced by electric motors. Recently, however, it has been suggested to use compressed air for driving the large shaft-hoists, the air for the engines being supplied by electrically-driven compressors, and an installation of this character is being erected at Butte; Mont. It is the object of this paper to compare the compressed-air system of hoisting with the various electrical systems, from the stand-points of first-cost and cost of operation. However, before entering into a discussion of the various systems, it will be well to consider briefly the conditions affecting the choice of a system of hoisting in which electricity is the ultimate source of power. The power required by a mine-hoist is extremely intermittent and fluctuates between very wide limits, the all-day average consumption of power not exceeding from 5 to 15 per cent. of the maximum demand during hoisting. The cost of supplying power for such a fluctuating load is necessarily higher than that for supplying an equal amount of

Dec 1, 1911

By Willard P. Ward

SOME TIME in the year 1874 or 1875, I conceived the idea that spiegeleisen might be made -in a blast furnace from ores that were not carbonates, and which did not contain both manganese and iron in the same ore. Up to this time, such ores had formed the basis of all the spiegel that had been produced; and all the ferromanganese that was on the market before 1875 was made in crucibles, and cost about 00 per ton, for 80 per cent. Mn. I consulted the great steel metallurgist of the day, Alexander Holley, who listened attentively to what I had to say, and told me he did not think my plan was practical, so I abandoned it for the time being. But I was so stubborn that I could not get the notion out of my head. It seemed to me that a good metallurgist should be able to work the thing out in some way. I had already had some experience in smelting refractory lead ores in Utah, and was young and not lacking in self confidence, so after waiting a bit, I got Anton Eilers, the best all-around metallurgist I knew, and J. H. Bramwell, the best iron blast-furnace man I knew, both intimate friends of -mine, to come to my place in Bartow County, Georgia, and look over things. They remained for several days, and made all the examination they thought necessary; and they also advised me to give up the project, and either to keep the furnace running on car-wheel iron or to blow it out. After my talk with Holley, I improved my plant in several ways. I closed the top of the furnace, put in a hot-blast stove, a steam boiler and a Weimer blowing-engine which gave me blast enough, at a pressure high enough for all the requirements of, the furnace, and which I could bring up to a temperature of 600° to 700° F.

Jan 1, 1921

By C. A. Heiland

WITH seventeen papers submitted. and thirteen presented in three sessions, the geophysicists had a most successful meeting at New York in February. The first paper on Monday morning dealt with the location of a diabase dike near Chapel Hill, N. C., by magnetic and resistivity methods. The magnetic indications were pronounced directly over the dike. whereas the anomalies of apparent resistivity were less distinct and displaced away from the dike. In the second paper, Professor Keys reported on the results obtained with four different methods of depth calculation on known portions of the Falconbridge

Jan 1, 1937

By H. R. Stahl

FIVE mills are operated in Southeast Missouri by the St. Joseph Lead Co.; these have a total rated capacity of 24,300 tons per day divided as follows: Federal, 12,000 tons; Leadwood, 4800 tons; Desloge, 3600 tons; Bonne Terre, 2400 tons; and Mine La Motte, 1500 tons. These concentrators are similar in a general way, differing mainly in size and type of equipment and in minor variations in flow sheet. No attempt is made rigidly to standardize procedure in the various mills in spite of a general similarity in the ores. Each mill may be regarded as a separate laboratory in which new ideas and changes may be tried. A generalized description of the process is given, noting important differences in procedure at the various plants. The concentration process may be divided into five main stages: dry crushing, wet grinding, desliming and classification, tabling, and flotation.

Jan 1, 1947

By C. V. Millikan

THE year 1930 in the petroleum industry has been characterized by the establishment of large potential production of crude oil. This has resulted in closer cooperation between companies by proration and unit operation agreements in order to afford an equitable outlet to all, and to prevent a flood of oil being forced on the market with attendant tremendous material and economic waste. Drilling wells in proved areas and wildcat wells are fewer than in the past several years. Restricted production and low prices have caused greater effort to increase producing and recovery efficiencies. Increased refinery efficiencies have amplified the effect of overproduction. Pipe line departments have been especially busy. New oil lines have reached more refineries by new and shorter routes. Establishing greater gas reserves by new fields has justified new gas lines to industrial centers, and has brought this fuel to thousands of new domestic consumers. Two long gasoline lines, a new venture in pipe lines, are being built to obtain a lower cost of transportation and less loss between the refineries and their distribution centers. The chairmen of the various divisions have discussed the developments of their respective branches more fully in the following reviews.

Jan 1, 1931

By John Wellington Finch

INVESTIGATIONS by the Bureau of Mines of deposits containing strategic minerals were authorized by what has become known as the Strategic Materials Act (Public No. 117, 76th Congress, Chapter 190. 1st Session). A later act providing an appropriation for the first of four years through which the investigations are to be conducted was signed on Aug. 9, 1939. No time has since been lost as seven field projects already are being vigorously prosecuted, and two others no doubt soon will be in course of execution. Project engineers were at their stations within two days after funds had been made available. Crews have been hired; equipment and supplies have been purchased; 5 bids for diamond drilling have been obtained and the drilling has started base camps have been established: ground has been cleared; and several thousand feet of trenching, test-pitting, and sampling have already been done. At the Reno Experiment Station of the Bureau, a special metallurgical laboratory has been provided to make assays, analyses, and tests upon samples of ores from all projects under investigation.

Jan 1, 1939

By Frank G. Snyder, Paul E. Gerdemann

The Southeast Missouri lead district, located about 70 miles south of St. Louis, embraces four important sub-districts and several minor ones. The important sub-districts, in order of discovery, are Mine La Motte, the Old Lead Belt, Indian Creek, and the Viburnum Lead Belt. Descriptions that follow are of geology and ore deposits of the Old Lead Belt. The ore deposits are stratiform in character and are localized in a narrow carbonate bar and algal reef environment on the flanks of exposed Precambrian of the St. Francois Mountains. Ore structures include a variety of primary depositional features such as pinchout zones, disconformities, ridge structures, reefs, and submarine gravity slides. Faulting, prior to and during ore deposition, "prepared" the host rock and strongly fractured areas are mineralized much more intensively and extensively than unfractured parts of the same sedimentary structures. The deposits are epigenetic in character. Mineralization is believed to have occurred at the time that post-lower Ordovician faulting took place. The mineralizing solutions are believed to be concentrated brines from adjacent basins that moved out of the basins during faulting, uplift, and erosion of the St. Francois positive area.

Jan 1, 1968